Sinkhole causes 420,000 gallons of wastewater spillage

Thursday

Aug 31, 2017 at 5:51 PM

Amanda Thames AmandaThames

A sinkhole is the cause of 420,000 gallons of untreated wastewater being discharged.

The water at the primary lagoon, located at 1138 Rocky Run Road in Midway Park, has a 1.3 acre surface area and the whole of it dropped one foot into the ground on Tuesday, said Patrick Mullally Jr., the wastewater treatment plant operator.

The wastewater was from the Collins Estates Mobile Home Park Wastewater Treatment Plant, Mullally said.

It’s estimated, based on the surface area and the drop of the hole, that 420,000 gallons of untreated wastewater was released, Mullally said.

The sinkhole has since been repaired and the lagoon is being filled back up, Mullally said.

The Division of Water Resources was notified on Tuesday and they are reviewing the matter, according to a press release.

This emission happened the day following the City of Jacksonville releasing information about an accidental wastewater spill.

About 5,000 gallons of untreated wastewater spilled into a tributary of the New River from the Brynn Marr Pump Station in Northeast Park, according to a press release.

A city staff member with utility maintenance accidentally opened a valve while a bypass pump was connected to the station, according to the release, and though the valve was then closed some of the escaped wastewater drained into the creek.

State officials are testing the waterways until evidence of the spill has dissipated, according to the release.

Reporter Amanda Thames can be reached at 910-219-8467 or Amanda.Thames@JDNews.com

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